Share this video

Watch Next

The dad of a Hillsborough victim told of the moment he came face to face with match commander David Duckenfield outside court.

Barry Devonside, whose 18-year-old son Christopher died in the 1989 disaster, approached Mr Duckenfield outside the coroner’s court in Warrington after he finished his evidence to the inquests in March last year.

For legal reasons the ECHO has been unable to report what happened until now.

Mr Devonside, who attended every day of the inquests, said he saw Mr Duckenfield as he walked out of the court.

Former South Yorkshire Police Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield (right), is confronted by family member Barry Devonside (left), who lost his son Christopher Devonside at Hillsborough, aged 18, at the new Hillsborough inquests in Warrington

He said: “He comes along with two heavies, I presume police officers, a lady and his wife and at that moment I thought I’d just take the opportunity to approach him.

“As I walked towards him the two heavies stepped forward and I put my hands up and said ‘no boys, there’ll be no trouble here, I just want to ask Mr Duckenfield a question’.

“I asked him why has he waited 26 years to tell the truth. You’ve kept my wife, my daughter and every single family waiting for all of that time.

“He stepped forward and he said ‘Mr Devonside, I am sorry’.

“I said ‘is that the best you can do after 26 years?’

“I turned and walked away.”

Barry Devonside

He added: “It was hard to walk away but I have to act with dignity at all times.”

Mr Devonside told the ECHO: “I believe all the families have acted with the utmost of dignity.

“Nobody’s let themselves down.

“In my personal situation, Christopher was a wonderful son and he had respect for his family, for himself and for his close circle of friends.

Christopher Devonside who was 18 when who died at Hillsborough

“That dignity has to remain with us in his death and that’s why I acted, all the time, in the appropriate manner.”